"EU candidate bid as soon as possible"

President Boris Tadic says it is in Serbia's interest to submit the EU candidate application as soon as possible. Speaking for Deutsche Welle in Berlin, he added that this should happen at a time that will render the application successful. "EU candidate bid as soon as possible" Tadic also said the Netherlands is so far the only out of 27 EU counties that is setting conditions for Serbia's integration. "As for the Dutch position, perhaps it will become more flexible in the coming period, we'll see. All EU countries wish to influence the Netherlands' stance, but the Netherlands too has the right to its position," said he. According to the Serbia president, Belgrade is doing all in its power to find and extradite to the Hague Tribunal fugitive wartime leader of Bosnian Serbs Gen. Ratko Mladic. Tadic also discussed European integration, visa liberalization and political situation in Serbia with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, reports said. Tadic presents award to Gorbachev Tadic on Saturday in Berlin presented the Quadriga award to former USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev. Tadic stated during the ceremony that Europe and Russia should work together on promotion of security in the world, which will provide for prosperity of the future generations. The prize is awarded every year on October 3, German Unity Day, recognizes four people or groups for their commitment to innovation, renewal, and a pioneering spirit through political, economic, and cultural activities. Tadic, who received the award last year, gave the opening note for Gorbachev, this year's winner. Tadic underscored that the former Soviet leader is one of the few world leaders ever whose names is related to the words changes and freedom. Today, we pay tribute to the man who has managed to set forward the powers that renewed his country and provided many other nations with freedom to express themselves, the man who has convinced us all that the nuclear era confrontation can be overcome, Tadic said. He evaluated that the Yugoslav leaders of the time made decisions that had led us into darkness, which we are stepping out only now. In his address, Tadic also said that the work of the present leaders of Serbia will be evaluated based on whether they will manage to renew the society that had fell into the abyss of war and to take Serbia into the European Union. Tadic thanked Gorbachev for leading his own and many other countries into the future that had brought them freedom, hope and a chance for peace instead of war, at the time when he was faced with leadership challenges.

"EU candidate bid as soon as possible"

Tadić also said the Netherlands is so far the only out of 27 EU counties that is setting conditions for Serbia's integration.

"As for the Dutch position, perhaps it will become more flexible in the coming period, we'll see. All EU countries wish to influence the Netherlands' stance, but the Netherlands too has the right to its position," said he.

According to the Serbia president, Belgrade is doing all in its power to find and extradite to the Hague Tribunal fugitive wartime leader of Bosnian Serbs Gen. Ratko Mladić.

Tadić also discussed European integration, visa liberalization and political situation in Serbia with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, reports said.

Tadić presents award to Gorbachev

Tadić on Saturday in Berlin presented the Quadriga award to former USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev.

Tadić stated during the ceremony that Europe and Russia should work together on promotion of security in the world, which will provide for prosperity of the future generations.

The prize is awarded every year on October 3, German Unity Day, recognizes four people or groups for their commitment to innovation, renewal, and a pioneering spirit through political, economic, and cultural activities.

Tadić, who received the award last year, gave the opening note for Gorbachev, this year's winner.

Tadić underscored that the former Soviet leader is one of the few world leaders ever whose names is related to the words changes and freedom.

Today, we pay tribute to the man who has managed to set forward the powers that renewed his country and provided many other nations with freedom to express themselves, the man who has convinced us all that the nuclear era confrontation can be overcome, Tadić said.

He evaluated that the Yugoslav leaders of the time made decisions that had led us into darkness, which we are stepping out only now.

In his address, Tadić also said that the work of the present leaders of Serbia will be evaluated based on whether they will manage to renew the society that had fell into the abyss of war and to take Serbia into the European Union.

Tadić thanked Gorbachev for leading his own and many other countries into the future that had brought them freedom, hope and a chance for peace instead of war, at the time when he was faced with leadership challenges.